St. of Local Civil Rights Movement Reaches Three-Quarters of Century
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Authors
Roy Wilkins
Issue Date
1965-11-5
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Issue
Type
Newspaper Article
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The Omaha Star , Box 05 , Box 05 Folder 20
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Abstract
"The Rev. John P. Markoe, S. J., pioneer, if not inventor, of the sit-in technique and the use of the boycott for fighting racial discrimination, quietly celebrated his seventy-fifth birthday here Monday. It was no coincidence that it fell on All Saints Day, a Catholic Holy Day honoring those who have been elevated to sainthood. The white-haired, gentle, kind, justice-loving Jesuit priest is the saint of the locate civil rights movement. Long before it was fashion¬ able, Father Markoe was campaigning for racial justice. And now, a little bent over and slowed by heart attacks, he still raises his voice, with a simple, unremitting and uncompromising passion, against what he calls the “rottenness of racism.' At a testimonial dinner earlier this year, Father Markoe spoke About racism as degrading, humiliating, the worse kind of robbery, a spiritual crucifixion, a heresy, an indecency; and he wound up: How a racist — one who chooses to be such, who deliberately denies to his fellow man the right to a full and complete life—how such a man expects to Father Markoe .. . still raises voice Saint of Local Civil Rights Movement Reaches Three Quarters of Century (Continued from page 1) directly contradicts everything that Christ lived, suffered and died for. ""Father Markoe has accomplished much in the ghetto by his presence for he has never been afraid to walk among us. From this we know that he sincerely believes in only one race, the human race. ""He has lit many candles in the Negro home where for years we could only curse the darkness. “We can never forget his inspiring words that has given impetuous to the civil rights movement: DON’T YIELD AN INCH'—NEVER BE SHOCKED OR SURPRISED; AND NEVER GIVE UP'.” This eloquent tribute reflects the birthday greetings of Father's legion of friends and admirers, including ex-presidents, army greats, bishops, pimps, prostitutes, winos, the needy. Scholarship Benefit p Cocktail Dance given by Sorority l be held at the r Base Sunday evening, November to seven. olarp benefit are 82.00n loor. iss Otta Lewis, 451-4967. enter heaven I do not know. A: a matter of fact I think racism is such a rotten evil that I don't think a racist will be received cordially even in hell.' At the dinner, Raymond Metoyer, 4CL vice-president, served as toastmaster and paid this moving tribute to Father Markoe: “We are assembled here to pay tribute to Father John Markoe,- Friend, — Brother, Priest. Persons wishing to greet Father Markoe may do so by calling Creighton University, 342-7400, and leaving the mes¬ sage at the switchboard. “As a friend, Father Markoe not only supports our cause, but has been given credit by many to ave originated it;—as a Broth¬ er, he not only realizes our problem, but lives it;—as a Priest, he not only offers the Sacrifice, but e himself has sacrificed much to help the Negro in his quest for equality for he knows from the teachings of Christ that prejudice and racial discrimination"
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